Resources sector driving employer confidence

The Hunter's resources sector means the region continues to buck the national trend when it comes to employer confidence.

The latest Hudson employment trends survey shows the resources sector nationally has experienced the biggest drop in hiring intentions, down 12 per cent from last quarter.

The Hunter's manufacturing industry continues to struggle because of the strong Australian dollar, with 20 per cent of the region's employers looking to decrease head count.

But Hudson Hunter General Manager James Tocci says coal is continuing to drive employer confidence.

"The Hunter is actually faring much better from a national perspective than any other region," he said.

"Overall, as a region, we're actually looking at a net increase of 35 per cent of employers looking at hiring, just over half are holding on to what they've got, and about 13 per cent are actually decreasing head count."

Mr Tocci says 90 per cent of the Hunter's coal is thermal coal which is used for power generation.

"Most of that goes overseas to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, where their energy appetite hasn't changed," he said.

"If anything, Japan - with their less dependence on nuclear energy - we should be expecting a slight uptake in terms of that demand.

"Obviously, we have increased our overall production and throughput through the Port of Newcastle.